Araz News:  Baku has hosted a ceremony to present Italian-Azerbaijani Cooperation and Friendship Association.

Dundar Keshapli, the founder and chairman of the Society, highlighted “friendly” relations between Italy and Azerbaijan, AzerTac state news agency reported.

He said the Society aimed to promote the bilateral ties in a variety of fields, particularly culture, fashion, cinema and sport.

Italian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Giampaolo Cutillo said Italy and Azerbaijan now have very deep and excellent friendly relations. “It is a strategic partnership that covers all fields,” he noted.

The ambassador highlighted the importance of the inaugural European Games to be held in Baku next month, saying Italy will send a team of 300 athletes to the event.

Cutillo also applauded Azerbaijan`s participation in Expo Milano 2015 exhibition, which will receive 20 billion visitors within the next six months. “I read from Italian newspapers a few days ago that the most beautiful pavilion was that of Azerbaijan.”

Founder and curator of the Baku Miniature Books Museum Zarifa Salahova said the Association would contribute to developing the cultural relations between the two countries.

Being one of Azerbaijan’s major partners in Europe, Italy has been Azerbaijan’s number one trade partner for the last eight years. It is the largest importer of Azerbaijani goods. Almost a quarter of Azerbaijan’s export went to Italy in January-July 2013, compared to 22 percent in the same period in 2012. Currently, 45 Italian companies are operating in Azerbaijan in insurance, banking, trade, and other areas.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Italy amounted to $554.8 million in January-February 2015, according to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee. Some $485.7 million accounted for the export from Azerbaijan, and $69 million for import.

Italy mainly exports pipes for the oil sector, tobacco, leather and furniture to Azerbaijan.

Italy and Azerbaijan successfully cooperate in the energy field as well. The selection of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) by the Shah Deniz consortium is the basis of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

Italy recognized Azerbaijan’s independence in 1991. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.

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